Newsletter

Heard: 'Deepest gratitude' for people of Athens

It has been my great honor to serve the people of Athens in the Georgia General Assembly for two decades. I thank them wholeheartedly for the privilege.

We have accomplished a lot during these years. When I drive down Prince Avenue past the old Navy School campus, I am heartened that we were able to bring the health sciences university to Athens. Students have more allied health career options as a result of the new facilities at Athens Tech.

The advent of Caterpillar means more and better jobs for our residents.

The safety net for our most vulnerable residents is stronger because of expanded Peachcare for children and strengthened Meals on Wheels for seniors. In years to come, we will realize that Athens was on the right track in 2012, poised for an even brighter future.

The 118th House District is a very different district than the former 114th — it no longer includes Forest Heights, Jack R. Wells or Rocksprings. I wish Mr. Frye every advantage in his quest to represent this diverse district that now spans Clarke County and stretches from Oglethorpe to Jackson counties.

We face great challenges and there is much work to be done — such as protecting our recent educational gains, assuring equal justice and opportunity, battling poverty, achieving critical transportation improvements and implementation of health insurance reforms — all in the face of tight revenues and a caustic political environment.

Please allow me to express my heartfelt thanks to the voters of the 118th District, my family and all of the friends, supporters and volunteers who helped during this campaign, and across the years. I have the deepest gratitude to all the people of Athens-Clarke County and pray all the best for a bright and prosperous future.

Keith G. Heard

• State Rep. Keith G. Heard, D-Athens, has represented Athens in the Georgia General Assembly for 20 years. He lost July 31 primary balloting to Spencer Frye, who will face Republican Carter Kessler in the November general election for the House District 118 seat.